Grafica 11: Aspectos que influyen en el confort
3.4.2 PLANI FI CACI ÓN DE LA EDI FI CACI ÓN
and research institutions. This brings in the question of Biotechnology education that is, considering the interaction of
UNIT 8
BIOTECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
Discuss the effect of biotechnology education on the curriculum
with particular reference to Community, Secondary, Technical andUniversity education.
Explain the challenges and limitations of biotechnology]
Discuss biotechnology in Nigeria 8.2 What is Biotechnology?
Johnson (1987) defined Biotechnology as the technical use of biological knowledge in production: He says it includes a number of
technologies, originating from molecular Biology. In this broad definition, the process of bread-making with the use of yeast, alcohol
fermentation, selection of domestic animals etc, are included.
Biotechnology according to Ozoro (1979) refers to the science whereby technical tasks are performed normally under the direction
and supervision of biological scientist, contributory to biological experiments, tests and analysis and develop industrial public health,
agricultural and other practical applications.
Kille (1987) expressed his own idea of Biotechnology as the application of biological organisms, systems and processes to manufacturing and service industries. He explained that, in particular,
it is the expansion in the industrial use of microbial and other cells, together with the demands these new manufacturing processes will
place upon close integration and understanding between biologist,
chemist and engineers.
Ejike (1983:1) explained that Biotechnology is a new science that is
synthetic in nature that has developed from the interaction of fundamental disciplines like genetics, biochemistry, chemical
engineering, microbiology, physiology, and all aspects of process of technology. He added that Biotechnology provides a basis for the
development of new industries out of the existing traditional ones.
Biotechnology according to Liberman, et al. (1986), can be defined as
“the application of biological systems to technical and industrial processes”. This according to them implies the integration of all biology, including molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry with chemical process engineering in a way that
develops the full potential of each of these systems.
The above definitions of Biotechnology give interplay of Biology and
technology. In other words, the technological application ofbiological findings in industries in order to improve the quality of life.
Liberman et al (1986) explained that academic and industrial applications of Biotechnology can be divided into two general categories: research/development and production. (This breakdown
agrees with Kille (1987).
Activity 8:1
Define biotechnology
8.3 Applications of Biotechnology
A break down of the discipline shows that it derives from the activities of organism such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts. And has vast
opportunities in the application in waste treatment and waste disposal
processes, plant tissue culture, food production, single cell protein research, the derivation of animal feedstuffs from Lingno cellulose
and fermentation technology; other applications include: technology of renewable raw materials, researches on environmental pollution, photobiological researches, short and long term effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems. Also Biotechnology approaches, find valuable application in researches in immunology and parasitology, the aging process, plant and animal pathology and pest technology.
(Kille, 1987: Ejike, 1983). In his account, Kille (1987) added that
biotechnology is useful in resource recovery by fermentation, the production of pharmaceuticals, the production of pharmaceuticals, biological pesticides, agrochemicals, the production of gaseous fuels,
chemicals and solvents.
8.4 Some Biotechnological Processes
Detail account of the processes are not necessary for the discussion of this nature on; Biotechnology education. What is done here is just a
brief mention of a couple of biotechnological processes. These
include:
Production of earthworms as a potentially economical source of
protein. Alcoholic fermentation of raw sweet potato by a non-
conventional method using endomycopsis Fibuligera. Making ofdrugs For instance, the production of insulin from micro-organism by the process of biotechnology, which takes on week instead of fifteen
months as in the case of the previous methods. Invitro-fertilization
(IVF). Bartels (1984), stated that a woman in this programme is induced to super ovulate by means of a fertility drug, thus producing
five or six ripe eggs. These are collected in an operation called Laparoscopy. These eggs are fertilized by the husband’s sperms.
Increase agricultural yield. Biotechnology has led to high-yield of crops and livestock, thus helping to expand the world’s supply of
food. (Bartels, 1986).
Activity 8:2
List four biotechnological processes 8.5 What is Education?
The contemporary English Dictionary defines education as “the result of teaching or the training of the mind and character”. The Greek idea of an educated man was one who was mentally and physically well-balanced, while to the ancient Romans, emphasis was placed on oratorical and military training. In recent times the ideas of looking at education as an end in itself has changed to that of a process of getting “initiated” or an induction in to the society. (Fafunwa, 1974).
Fafunwa, (1974:7) defined education as the aggregate of all the
processes by which a child or young adult develops the abilities
attitudes and other forms of behaviour which are of positive value to the society in which he lives. Education, as a discipline, is a field of knowledge
dealing with how to teach effectively. Dictionary meaning).
The emphasis in education is that, the educated person should be
useful to himself and the society in which he lives and not to be a misfit. Kemeny, (1959) said that “education is not to have arrived but
to travel with a different view”. Precisely, one would say that
education is a continuous process which takes place through out life.
8.6 What is Biotechnology Education?
This brings us closer to the focus of the discussion. Biotechnology is a fairly new development in science and technology, which has such a
wide range of practical daily life application. Biotechnology
education would offer the generality of society, the awareness ofcurrent developments in science and technology and even help
in
training for a better and effective living in society, to improve the quality of life.
Looking at the definitions of Biotechnology and Education, it may not be out of place to say that Biotechnology Education is the training of
mind and character of the applications of biological findings to technology with respect to new industrial prospects. Considering the
fact that Education itself is a discipline or a “field” of knowledge
dealing with how to teach effectively, addressing the issue of Biotechnology education could also imply teacher preparation for
Biotechnology.
Every known formal process of education, separate a working curriculum which states the aims and objectives, content and methods,
as well as evaluation of its outcomes. This paper is proposed to briefly discuss Biotechnology education at the three main levels of
education that is primary, secondary and tertiary levels. However, the